Connecticut Bills | MyRepTracker

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 397: AN ACT CONCERNING DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE USE AND RETENTION OF DATA DERIVED FROM AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEMS.

This bill establishes a state-level civil rights enforcement mechanism allowing Connecticut residents to sue individuals or entities, including government officials, for depriving them of constitutional rights. It creates a new cause of action similar to federal civil rights laws, permitting courts to award damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief when violations are proven. The bill also empowers the Attorney General to investigate and intervene in cases involving civil rights violations, seek civil penalties up to $2,500 per violation, and accept assurances that unlawful practices will stop. Additionally, it clarifies that these actions do not waive sovereign immunity and maintains existing rights to file complaints with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Gary Winfield (D) Steven Winter (D) Aundré Bumgardner (D) Pat Dillon (D) Roland Lemar (D)

signed · Connecticut · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 150: AN ACT CONCERNING THE LEGISLATIVE COMMISSIONERS' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TECHNICAL REVISIONS TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION STATUTES.

SB 150 makes technical revisions to existing higher education statutes in Connecticut, updating specific sections without changing policies or creating new requirements. It modifies wording in four statutes: extending transitional college program offerings through 2026 (10a-157a), clarifying community service program definitions (10a-80), refining governance responsibilities for community colleges (10a-72), and updating emergency teacher training program language (10-155). The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is solely for administrative clarity to align statutes with current practices. It directly affects Connecticut State Community College operations and the Board of Regents for Higher Education, but does not alter program access, funding, or student eligibility.

signed · Connecticut · House May 4, 2026

HB 5044: AN ACT ESTABLISHING CONNECTICUT VACCINE STANDARDS.

HB 5044 establishes Connecticut's official vaccine standards for children and infants, requiring the Commissioner of Public Health to create and maintain a standard of care based on CDC and medical association guidelines. This standard, posted online, will guide vaccination schedules and safety protocols, and must be updated as needed. The bill also mandates a state immunization program that provides free vaccines to healthcare providers for children, distributes vaccination schedules to parents at hospital discharge, and develops outreach to help children who fall behind on immunizations. It directly affects children (especially infants), healthcare providers, hospitals, and public health departments. The program must use available state and federal funds to support these services without creating new state regulations.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Connecticut · Senate Mar 25, 2026

SB 299: AN ACT CONCERNING REDEMPTION OF OUT-OF-STATE BEVERAGE CONTAINERS.

SB 299 requires redemption centers in Connecticut to obtain a license from the Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner starting July 1, 2026, with a $2,500 application fee. It restricts centers from accepting containers that were previously redeemed, damaged, not originally sold in Connecticut, or listed as unavailable by deposit initiators. Centers must track redemptions over 1,000 containers per person daily (or 4,000 for nonprofits), keep records for two years, and submit quarterly reports to the state. This bill directly affects redemption center operators, beverage dealers (who must accept eligible containers), and consumers redeeming containers.

Topics ✓ Environment

signed · Connecticut · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 83: AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE FEDERAL CUTS RESPONSE FUND.

This bill establishes the "Federal Cuts Response Fund" to help the state address reductions in federal funding for state programs. It transfers $330,811,954 from the state's Budget Reserve Fund into this new fund, which can be used by the Office of Policy and Management to respond to federal policy changes (like P.L. 119-21) that reduce funding for state programs. Unspent funds can carry over to the next fiscal year, but the state legislature must be notified of all spending or transfers and has 24 hours to disapprove any action. Any remaining balance in the fund must be returned to the Budget Reserve Fund by June 30, 2027, ending the fund's operation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Connecticut · House Nov 26, 2025

HB 8002: AN ACT CONCERNING HOUSING GROWTH.

HB 8002 creates a tax-advantaged savings program to help Connecticut first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals or couples to open "first-time homebuyer savings accounts" at financial institutions, with funds contributed by anyone (including employers) to cover eligible costs like down payments and closing costs for a primary residence. Account holders must submit tax returns with account details to claim a state tax deduction or credit, and funds must be used exclusively for qualifying home purchases. The program applies only to one-to-four family residences purchased as primary homes in Connecticut, effective January 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

signed · Connecticut · House Nov 25, 2025

HB 8003: AN ACT CONCERNING TEMPORARY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE BUDGET RESERVE FUND AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO ADDRESS REDUCTIONS IN FEDERAL FUNDING.

HB 8003 temporarily adjusts the state's budget reserve fund to allocate new funds covering reductions in federal funding. It directly affects state agencies and programs that rely on federal grants, ensuring continued operations despite decreased federal support. The bill authorizes the use of reserve funds to maintain essential services without requiring new tax revenue or spending cuts. This legislation became law as Special Act 25-1 after the governor signed it on November 18, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Connecticut · House Nov 25, 2025

HB 8004: AN ACT CONCERNING CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, A STANDARD SELF-EMPLOYMENT EXPENSE DEDUCTION FOR TEMPORARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SURCHARGE TO SUPPORT THE FIREFIGHTERS CANCER RELIEF PROGRAM, COURTHOUSE OPERATIONS, DATA PROTECTION AND PROCEDURES FOR REDISTRICTING AND CORRECTING DISTRICTING ERRORS.

HB 8004 requires a committee to study current children's behavioral health services (including crisis centers, referrals, and resource allocation) and report by 2027 on improving service delivery. It directs state agencies to use federal grant funds to develop new payment models for behavioral health care, including outcome-based incentives for providers. The bill also mandates school-based health centers to improve data collection on service needs, with a 2027 report to the legislature. These provisions directly affect children with behavioral health needs, their families, and providers receiving state or federal funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Connecticut · House Nov 25, 2025

HB 8001: AN ACT CONCERNING THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT HEALTH CENTER JOINT VENTURE INITIATIVE.

HB 8001 establishes a legal framework enabling the University of Connecticut Health Center to form joint ventures with private entities for specific health care initiatives. This law directly affects UConn Health Center by creating a structured process for entering such partnerships, without specifying particular projects or funding amounts. The bill was enacted as Public Act 25-2 after receiving governor's signature on November 18, 2025.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jul 8, 2025

SB 1368: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE CHILD ADVOCATE.

This bill (SB 1368) requires state agencies to consider and respond to recommendations made by the Office of the Child Advocate. It directly affects state agencies responsible for child welfare services, such as the Department of Children and Families. The key provision mandates that agencies provide written explanations for any recommendations they choose not to adopt. The bill became law after the governor signed it on July 8, 2025, following its passage through the legislature. The specific recommendations addressed by the bill are not detailed in the provided context.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jul 8, 2025

SB 1187: AN ACT CONCERNING FORECLOSURE, ASSIGNMENT AND OTHER ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS FOR UNPAID SEWER ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER FEES AND CHARGES.

SB 1187 modifies how municipalities enforce unpaid sewer fees and assessments by requiring specific procedural steps before taking actions like foreclosure. It directly affects homeowners who fall behind on sewer charges and local governments that collect these fees. The law mandates that municipalities provide written notice and a grace period before initiating enforcement, ensuring clearer process for residents. This bill, now law as Public Act 25-150, replaces prior, less structured enforcement methods with standardized requirements.

signed · Connecticut · Senate Jul 8, 2025

SB 1468: AN ACT CONCERNING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY REGARDING AGENCY PURCHASE CARD USE.

SB 1468 requires state agencies to submit quarterly reports on purchase card spending and undergo annual audits to verify proper use. It directly affects all state departments and agencies that use purchase cards for routine purchases like supplies or services. The bill mandates detailed spending records and audit trails to improve transparency and prevent misuse of funds. This law became effective upon the governor's signature on July 8, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes